ACC Seeks Community Input on Desired Growth & Future Land Use

ACCGov Seeks Community Input on Desired Growth and Future Land Use Planning through April The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) will host a series of public input events and an online survey as part of the Planning Department’s continued efforts to update Athens-Clarke County’s Future Land Use Plan. Events and opportunities for public input will take place beginning March 21 through the end of April 2024.

A series of eight public meetings will take place at locations around the community between March 21 and April 18. At these events, staff will be present to talk about the planning process, answer questions, and assist residents with filling out the survey. A list of events and event flyers are available below or at www.accgov.com/compplan. ; Planning Department staff will also provide a series of drop-in opportunities on weekdays from March 25 through April 26 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM in the auditorium at 120 West Dougherty Street for residents to talk directly with a planner, learn more about the plan, and take the current survey.

The survey is also available online at www.accgov.com/compplan through April 30 for residents to share feedback at any time. Last fall, Planning staff started the multi-year process of updating the community’s Future Land Use Plan, which will help make decisions about how the community will grow and provide services over the next 20 years.

Based on the community input received during the first stage of the process, the resulting Growth Concept Plan map and guidelines were approved by the Mayor and Commission in January to provide a broad overview of how areas could grow – or not – over the next 20 years. The Growth Concept Map highlights areas for general use by types of development, such as residential, commercial, or industrial, as well as natural areas.

he second step in the Comprehensive Plan process takes place in the spring and summer of 2024 and involves looking at individual properties and creating a Future Land Use Map. This map is a policy guide that provides general direction for the density, character, and location of land uses based on a shared vision for the future. These maps and other policy decisions about land use will help rewrite zoning codes, guide public infrastructure decisions, and update the state-required Comprehensive Plan, also known as the Comp Plan, that is due in 2028.

For more information and to sign up for notifications about the process, visit the Comprehensive Plan webpage at www.accgov.com/compplan or call 706-613-3515. Resources:

• Flyers
• List of public meetings:
  • Thurs., March 21 – Athens Technical College Building T – Economic Development, 525 Calhoun Drive – 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Tues., March 26 – Creature Comforts, 271 West Hancock Avenue – 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Wed., March 27 – Whitehead Road Elementary, 555 Quailwood Drive – 6:00-8:00 PM [Spanish interpreter available]
  • Thurs., March 28 – Fowler Drive Elementary, 400 Fowler Drive – 6:00-8:00 PM [Spanish interpreter available]
  • Wed., April 10 – Hilsman Middle School, 870 Gaines School Road – 6:00-7:30 PM
  • Thurs., April 11 – Heard Park & Community Center, 400 McKinley Drive – 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Mon., April 15 – ACC Extension Office, 275 Cleveland Road – 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Thurs., April 18 – Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter Street – 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Drop-in opportunities: Monday-Friday, March 25 – April 26, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Dougherty Street Government Building Auditorium, 120 West Dougherty Street